What You Answer to Matters
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." - Proverbs 4:23
People will always have something to say. They will question your decisions, criticize your efforts, and try to plant doubt in your mind. The voices of negativity, fear, and insecurity will always try to speak louder than the truth. But the reality is, you do not have to answer for everything you are called to do.
The people rebuilding in Nehemiah’s time understood this. When their enemies taunted them, mocked them, and tried to intimidate them, they did not waste time arguing or proving themselves. They refused to internalize the negativity. Instead, they took it to God and kept working. They knew that their mission was too important to be distracted by voices that did not matter.
That is the lesson many people miss. It is not what others say about you, it is what you believe about yourself. It is not what you are called, it is what you answer to. If you let every insult, doubt, or discouraging word take root in your heart, it will paralyze you. You will start questioning whether you are capable. You will second-guess what God has already confirmed. You will stop moving forward because fear will start dictating your steps.
But God never called you to live by fear. He has given you power, love, and a sound mind. That means you do not have to accept every label, every criticism, or every doubt that comes your way. You do not have to answer to failure, insecurity, or unworthiness. If the enemy says you cannot, God has already declared that you can. If the world tries to define you by your past, God is calling you into your future.
So guard your heart. Protect your mind. Stop answering to what does not align with what God has spoken over you. Keep your focus on the mission, refuse to be distracted by negativity, and walk boldly in the purpose He has for you. The voices of doubt will always be there, but the only thing that matters is whose voice you choose to believe.
People will always have something to say. They will question your decisions, criticize your efforts, and try to plant doubt in your mind. The voices of negativity, fear, and insecurity will always try to speak louder than the truth. But the reality is, you do not have to answer for everything you are called to do.
The people rebuilding in Nehemiah’s time understood this. When their enemies taunted them, mocked them, and tried to intimidate them, they did not waste time arguing or proving themselves. They refused to internalize the negativity. Instead, they took it to God and kept working. They knew that their mission was too important to be distracted by voices that did not matter.
That is the lesson many people miss. It is not what others say about you, it is what you believe about yourself. It is not what you are called, it is what you answer to. If you let every insult, doubt, or discouraging word take root in your heart, it will paralyze you. You will start questioning whether you are capable. You will second-guess what God has already confirmed. You will stop moving forward because fear will start dictating your steps.
But God never called you to live by fear. He has given you power, love, and a sound mind. That means you do not have to accept every label, every criticism, or every doubt that comes your way. You do not have to answer to failure, insecurity, or unworthiness. If the enemy says you cannot, God has already declared that you can. If the world tries to define you by your past, God is calling you into your future.
So guard your heart. Protect your mind. Stop answering to what does not align with what God has spoken over you. Keep your focus on the mission, refuse to be distracted by negativity, and walk boldly in the purpose He has for you. The voices of doubt will always be there, but the only thing that matters is whose voice you choose to believe.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments